As I said before, Antonio will guarantee the loan. If I default, he’ll pay
you.

5

SHYLOCK

Antonio shall become bound, well.

SHYLOCK

Antonio will guarantee it, hmmm.

BASSANIO

May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know
your answer?

BASSANIO

Can you help me? What’s your answer?

SHYLOCK

Three thousand ducats for three months, and Antonio
bound.

SHYLOCK

Three thousand ducats for three months, and Antonio will guarantee it.

10

BASSANIO

Your answer to that?

BASSANIO

Your answer?

SHYLOCK

Antonio is a good man.

SHYLOCK

Antonio’s a good man.

BASSANIO

Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?

BASSANIO

Have you heard anything to the contrary?

SHYLOCK

Ho, no, no, no, no. My meaning in saying he is a good
man is to have you understand me that he is sufficient. Yet
his means are in supposition. He hath an argosy bound to
Tripolis, another to the Indies. I understand moreover,
upon the Rialto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for
England, and other ventures he hath squandered abroad.

SHYLOCK

What? No, no, no, no. What I meant in saying he’s a good man is that he has
enough money to guarantee the loan. But his investments are uncertain right now. He has one
ship bound for Tripoli, another heading for the Indies. What’s more, people at the